Self-aligning pulley



Nov. 10, 1942. R. F. HLAVATY SELF-ALIGNING PULLEY original Filed sept. 15, 1941 filer/VA S I7?, verz udUZ/Ufa y 5% Patented Nov. 10, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Qriginal application September 15, 1941, Serial No. 410,871. Divided and this application January 26, 1942, Serial No. 428,271

15 Claims.

This invention relates to a self-aligning cylinder, wheel, roller, or other rotary member, either driving, driven, or idling. In one form it may be embodied in a pulley. It has for one object to provide a rotary member which has formed in it or adapted to it parts which operate automatically to keep it in alignment or to re-align it. Where the invention comprises a pulley operating with a belt, it serves to keep the belt and pulley aligned or to restore them to alignment.

It is well recognized that most belts and particularly wide or large belts have a tendency to move out of alignment. This tendency is particularly evident in the case of large rubber belts. Almost all belts are susceptible to change due to changing atmospheric and temperature conditions, and it is generally recognized that it is dimcult to maintain such belts in alignment. In general practice, hand operated means are provided for re-aligning such belts, and frequent, if not constant, attention is required to maintain such belts properly aligned. It is one of the objects of this invention to obviate the necessity of any hand or manually controlled apparatus and t provide a belt pulley which is automatic and certain in its operation, and which automatically corrects and counteracts a tendency to misalignment.

Another object is to provide self-aligning means which act in response to side movement of the belt out of Ialignment; automatically to cause reverse side movement of the belt into the position of alignment.

Other objects will appear from time to time throughout the specification and claims.

'Ihe invention is illustrated more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a longitudinalsection of one form of the device with parts in elevation, parts broken away, and parts in section.

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken .on an enlarged scale at line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a sectional detail taken at line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional detail illustrating a modified form of engaging means or groove construction.

Figure 5 is very similar to Figure 4, illustrating a still further modification.

Like parts are indicated by like characters throughout the specification and the drawing.

As shown in the iigures generally, I is a shaft member which has a generally rounded enlarged (Cl. 'I4-241) each other cr they may be made separately and attached together. threaded at 3 to receive a member 4 which has a convex portion or surface 5 and is adjustably positioned on th'e threaded portion being held in place in adjusted position thereon by a locknut 6 or otherwise. A spacing ring 1 may be removably positioned on the shaft I and held in place thereon by a set screw l. The shaft I is supported in bearings 8, the details of which are not illustrated, since the invention is not limited to any particular form of bearing or bearing support.

A loose ring-like member I0 Is positioned freely about the shaft I and adjacent each of themembers 4. It is provided with a concave face II which contacts th'e convex face 5 of the member 4. The construction thus far described is preferably identical at each end of the pulley.

The rounded or enlarged portion 2 of the pulley may be grooved as at I2 to receive a channel or groove member I3. Preferably four such grooves I2 will be formed, and they will be spaced equally about the member 2. Should more than four be formed, they would ordinarily be equally spaced, and each of the grooves will preferably receive a channel member. The edges of each' channel member I3 are upwardly and somewhat inwardly curved, as shown in Figure 2 particularly.

Arcuate surface members I4 are provided with inturned edges I5 to engage balls I6, which are positioned at suitable intervals on both sides of the channel members I3.' As shown in Figure 1 the inturned edges I5 of the members Il are pro- 35 vided with pairs of depressions Il which form limits for the balls and prevent their moving out of properpositions of adjustment. There may be any desired number of pairs of depressions Il to receive and space th'e balls I6.

As shown in Figure 4 the channel member I3, instead of being positioned in a groove ory depression I2 in the member 2 is positioned upon a flattened portion I8 on the member 2. Such a construction is particularly` useful where the 45 diameter of the member 2 is such that a channel member may be readily secured to the surface and may be received without the necessity of forming a groove into which it may iit.

As shown in Figure '5 the member 2 is consid- 50 ered as being of such' diameter that the channel member I3 may be secured directly to its face l without even the necessity of flattening the face of the member 2 at the point of attachment, and

this construction is advantageous for pulleys of portion 2. These parts may be integral with large diameter. The bottom of the channel I3 'I'he portion I is preferably' against the straight or flat face of the member I 0. 2l is a belt which may be of any type. It mayA n be a conveyor or a belt proper, and may be made of any desirable material. The pulley may also be associated with any surface member with which it is in contact, whether' that member be'v a belt, a conveyor, or something else.

It will be realized that whereas I have de scribed and shown a practical andoperative embodiment of my invention and the method for carrying it out, nevertheless many changes may be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts and in the details and steps of such method withoutk departing. from the spirit of my invention. I therefore wish my description and drawing to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative or diagrammatic, rather than as limiting me to my precisel showing.

The use and operation of the invention are as follows:

The pulley ofthe various figures may be asso-l ciated with a belt or any other member with which it is in contact, and it may be driven or may idle. The member with which the pulley surface is in contact may become misaligned, and should that occur, the mechanism of the invention corrects that misalignment automatically in response to its occurrence.

I'he parts are shown properly aligned in Figure 1. Should the belt become misaligned, for example should it move to the left fwith respect to the pulley, its left edge will contact the wedge ring I0 and will probably climb up on it. When that occurs the upper edge of the Wedge ring I0 is depressed, and the ring moves downwardly about the convex face of the member 4l. When it does that it effects a wedge action on the uppermost surface member I4 through its rounded portion 20. to the left, it causes the Wedge ring to act so that it drives or forces the uppermost pulley surface member I4 to the right, thus tending to carry the belt back to the right in a direction opposite to that in which misalignment has occurred.

The construction of the wedge rings and associated parts is preferably identical at both ends of the pulley assembly. Therefore when the downward movement of the left-hand wedge ring I0 has caused the uppermost surface member I4 to move the right, that eiects a thrust upon the right-hand wedge ring I0 and causes it to be forced upwardly about its convex member 4. As that occurs the upper edge of the right-hand ring I0 moves to the right and the lower edge of the ring correspondingly moves to the left, eifecting thrust a thrust upon the lowermost pulley surface member I4 and carrying it to the left.

As a result of the movement above described, the misalignment of the belt has itself caused two oppositely placed pulley surface members to shift axially along the pulley or shaft portion 2, and it has shifted the uppermost pulley member I4 to the right. Since this pulley member ic the one against which the greatest load of the belt Thus when belt misalignment occurs f is pulling it carries the belt bodily to the right with it and thus tends to correct misalignment. This effect is continued or may be continued as the pulley revolves and should the -belt move too for to the right, the same cycle of operations would occur, but with the directions reversed so that the outermost or uppermost pulley member I4, should the belt move too far to the right, willkbe forced to the left and will carry the belt -bac The pulley surface members are assembled on the body 2 as shown and are yheld in place by the cooperation between the edges I5 of the members I4, and the balls I6 and the edges of the member I3. In assembling the form of Figure 2 the body member 2 is provided with grooves I2 'into which the channel members I3 are placed.

These members are secured in place by screws, as shown or in any other desired manner. The surface members are then slipped longitudinally into place, balls being positioned between each pair of limiting members I'I as the surface members are slid or slipped into place. Thus the anti-friction members themselves which permit free axial movement serve as securing members to hold the member I 4 in place.

The method of assembly is substantially the same in the forms of Figures 4 and 5 as that just described, except that in the form of Figure 4 the body member 2, instead of being grooved is flattened as at I8, and the channel members I 3 are secured by screws or otherwise to the flattened portions.

In the form of Figure 5 the diameter of the body 2 is such that neither grooving nor flattening is necessary and the` members I3 are merely secured directly to therev r surface of the member 2.

This application is a division of my copending application, Serial No. 410,871, filed September 15, 1941.

I claim:

1. In combination in a pulley adapted to contact a belt, a main pulley body, a plurality of channel members secured longitudinally to said body, and a plurality of belt contacting surface members, said surface members being movably positioned on said body and provided with edges extending into said channel members, and members positioned within said channels, and within the edges of said surface members, said members serving to lock said surface members against radial movement away from said body, while holding them free for longitudinal movement with respect to said body.

2. In combination in a lpulley adapted to contact a belt, a main pulley body, a plurality of channel members secured longitudinally to said body, and a plurality of belt contacting surface members, said surface members being movably .positioned on said body and provided with edges extending into said channel members, and antifrictionmembers positioned within said channels, and within the edges of said surface members, said anti-friction members servingl to lock said surface members against radial movement away from said body, while holding them free for longitudinal movement with respect to said body.

3. In combination in apulley adapted to contact a belt, a main pulley body', comprising a generally rounded member, said body member being elongated, a plurality of channel members secured longitudinally to said body, and a plurality of belt contacting surface members, said surface' members being movably positioned on said body and provided with edges extending into said channel members, and members positioned within said channels, and within the edges of said surface members, said members serving to lock said surface members against radial movement away from said body, while holding them free for longitudinal movement with respect to said body.

li. In combination in a pulley adapted toicontact a belt, a main pulley body, a plurality of channel members secured longitudinally to said body, and a plurality of belt contacting surface members, said surface members being generally arcuate in shape, said surface members being movably positioned on ,said body and provided with edges extending into said channel members, and members positioned within said channels, and within the edges of said surface members, said members serving to lock said surface members against radial movement away from said body, while holding them free for longitudinal movement with respect to said body.

5. In combination in a pulley adapted to contact a belt, a main pulley body, a plurality `of channel members secured longitudinally to said body, and a plurality of belt contacting surface members, said surface members being generally arcuate in shape, said surfacel members being movably fpositioned on said body and provided with irl-turned edges extending into said channel members, and members positioned within said channels, and within the edges of said surface members, said members serving to lock said surface members against radial movement away from said body, while holding them free for longitudinal movement with respect to said body.

6. In combination in a pulley adapted to contact a belt, a main pulley body, a plurality of channel members secured longitudinally to said body, and a plurality of belt contacting surface members, said surface members being generally arcuate in shape, said surface members being movably positioned on said body members and provided with in-turned edges extending into said channel members, and anti-friction members positioned within said channels, and within the edges of said surface members, said anti-friction members serving to lock said surface members against radial movement away from said body, while holding them free for longitudinal movement with respect to said body.

7. In combination in a pulley adapted to con` tact a belt, a main pulley body, a plurality of channel members secured longitudinally to said body, and a plurality of belt contacting surface members, said surface members being generally arcuate in shape, said surface members being movably positioned on said body and provided with in-turned edges extending into said channel members, and anti-friction members positioned within said channels, and within the in-turned edges of said surface members, said anti-friction members serving to lock said surface members against radial movement away from said body, while holding them free for longitudinal movement with respect to said body.

8. In combination in a pulley adapted to contact a belt, a main pulley body comprising a pair of shaft-like portions adapted to be supported for 'rotation in bearings, a plurality of channel members secured longitudinally to said body, and a plurality of belt contacting surface members, said surface members being generally arcuate in shape, said surface members being movably positioned on said body and provided with in-turned edges extending into said channel members, and

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anti-friction members positioned within said channels, and within the in-turned edges of said surface members, said anti-friction members serving to lock said surface members `against radial movement away from said body, while holding them free for longitudinal movement with respect to said body.

9. In combination in a pulley adapted to contact a belt, a main pulley body comprising a generally rounded member, said body member being elongated, and a pair of shaft-like portions adapted to be supported for rotation in bearings, a plurality of channel members secured longitudinally to said body, and a plurality of belt contacting surface members, said surface members being generally arcuate in shape, said surface members being movably positioned on said body and provided with in-turned edges extending into said channel members, and anti-friction members positioned within said channels, and within the in-turned edges of said surface members, said anti-friction members serving to lock said surface members against radial movement away from said body, while holding them free for longitudinal movement with respect to said body.

10. In combination in a pulley adapted to contact a belt, a main pulley body, a plurality of channel members secured longitudinally to said body, and a plurality of belt contacting surface members, said surface members being movably positioned on said body and provided with edges extending into said channel members, and members positioned within said channels, and within the edges of said surface members, said members serving to lock said surface members against radial movement away from said body, while holding them free for longitudinal movement with respect to said body, and a pair of concave wedge members, fixed with respect to said body andv members, said surface members being generally K arcuate in shape, said surface members being movably positioned on said body and provided with irl-turned edges extending into said channel members, and members positioned within said channels, and within the edges of said surface members, said members serving to lock said surface members against radial movement away from said body, While holding them free for longitudinal movement with respect to said body, and a pair of concave wedge members, nxed with respect to said body and positioned one at each end thereof. and a pair of movable wedge members mounted about said body, one in contact with each of said fixed wedge members and in contact with the ends of said surface members.

12. In combination in a pulley adapted to contact a belt, a main pulley body comprising aA generally rounded member, said body member being elongated, and a pair of shaft-like portions adapted to be supported for rotation in bearings, a plurality of channel members secured longitudinally to said body, and a plurality of belt contacting surface members, said surface members being generally arcuate in shape, said surface members being movably positioned on said body and provided with irl-turned edges extending into said channel members, and anti-friction members positioned within said channels, and within the in-turned edges of said surface members, said anti-friction members serving to lock said surface members against radial movement away from said body, while holding them free for longitudinal movement with respect to said body, and a pair of concave wedge members,

.fixed with respect to said body and positioned one bers positioned Within said channels, and within the edges of said surface members, said members serving to lock said surface members against radial movement away from said body, while holding them free for longitudinal movement with respect to said body, and a pair of concave wedge members, fixed with respect to said body and positioned one at each end thereof, and a pair of movable wedge members mounted about said body, one in contact with each of lsaid fixed wedge members and in contact with the ends of said surface members, said surface members being each provided at each of its ends with a rounded projection adapted to contact said movable wedge members.

14. In combination in a pulley adapted to contact a belt, a main pulley body, a. plurality of channel members secured longitudinally to said body, and a plurality of belt contacting surface members, said surface members being generally arcuate in shape, said surface members being movably positioned on said body and provided with in-turned edges extending into said channel members, and members positioned within said channels, and within the members, said members serving to lock said surface members against radial movement away from said body, while holding them free for longitudinal movement with respect to said body, and

a pair of concave wedge members, fixed with respect to said body and positioned one at each end thereof, and a pair of movable wedge members mounted about, said body, one in contact with each of said fixed wedge members and in contact with the endsof said surface members, said surface members being each provided at each of its ends with a rounded projection adapted to contact said movable wedge members.

15. In combination in a pulley adapted to contact a belt, a main pulley body comprising a generally rounded member, said body member being elongated, and a pair of shaft-like portions adapted to be supported for rotation in bearings, a plurality of channel members secured longitudinally to said body, and a plurality of belt contacting surface members, said surface members being generally arcuate in shape, said surface members being movably positioned on said body and provided with in-tumed edges extending into said channel members, and anti-friction members positioned within said channels, and within the in-turned edges of said surface members, said anti-friction members serving to lock said surface members against radial movement away from said body, while holding them free for longitudinal movement with respect to said body, and a pair of concave wedge members, fixed with respect to said body and positioned one at each end thereof, and a pair of movable wedge members mounted about said body, one in contact with each of said fixed wedge members and in contact with the ends of said surface members, said surface members being each provided at each of its ends with a rounded projection adapted to contact said movable wedge members.

RUDOLPH F. HLAVATY.

edges of said surface 4 

